Kathmandu, August 17: The festival of Nag Panchami is being observed today according to tradition by worshipping Nagas, or serpent deities. The festival is celebrated by ceremonially affixing a picture of a Naga to the main entrance of the house.
Nag Panchami is observed every year on the fifth day of the bright fortnight of the month of Shrawan. This year, because an intercalary month occurred in Jestha, the festival falls on the first day of Bhadra according to the solar calendar.
Prof. Dr. Devmani Bhattarai, a former member of the Nepal Panchanga Nirnayak Development Committee, said there is a religious belief that affixing a picture of a Naga protects the household throughout the year from harm caused by Nagas, snakes, scorpions and other creatures, as well as from the fear of fire, storms and lightning.
The practice of worshipping Nagas is believed to have originated in the Vedic period. According to Vedic belief, the Naga is regarded as the king of serpents. Since it is believed that angering the Naga can lead to a shortage of water, the tradition of worshipping Nagas to please them and ensure water has also been established.
According to the Varaha Purana, the day is also considered auspicious for Naga worship because Brahma is said to have conversed with the Naga king on the fifth day of the bright fortnight of Shrawan. It is believed that every house has a Naga. The tradition of Naga worship has also been continued based on the religious belief that if the Naga residing beneath the foundation of a house becomes angry, the very foundation of the house may collapse.
The tradition of worshiping Nagas as manifestations associated with Vishnu and Shiva has existed since the Vedic Sanatana tradition. Lord Shiva wears a serpent as a garland, while Lord Vishnu reclines on the serpent Shesha in the waters, sheltered by its raised hoods; therefore, both deities are associated with Nagas. Lord Ganesha, who is believed to have the right to receive the first worship, holds a serpent in one of his hands. Lakshmana, the brother of Shri Ramachandra, who was born as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and Balarama, the elder brother of Krishna, are also regarded as incarnations of Shesha Naga. Various Puranas describe how Krishna subdued Kaliya Naga during his childhood.
Likewise, the statue of Buddha, regarded as the ninth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, is depicted with a serpent-shaped form resembling a crown over his head. Matsyendranath is depicted wearing a garland of Karkotaka Naga around his neck. Jain Tirthankaras are also depicted with serpent-shaped crowns on their heads. Religious scriptures mention that Arjuna, the son of Pandu, and Chandragupta II married Naga princesses. A belief has existed in our society since ancient times that Goddess Lakshmi resides in a house where Nagas are worshipped.
People’s News Monitoring Service.
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